Murphy Anderson is coming home for Christmas… her handsome neighbors—especially Cody Marvell, who always rubbed her the wrong way. And maybe that’s why, when Cody shows an interest in the ranch, she hesitates to sell.
Cody Marvell has a way with people…unless that person is Murphy Anderson. Cody never understood what she was dealing with when they were younger. Murphy had a hard time while growing up, with no mom and a cold-hearted father. He made some mistakes, which he now regrets. He wants her ranch, and more than that, he wants her.
When a Christmas flood makes Murphy’s home uninhabitable, he invites her to stay at the Marvell Ranch. With the help of country Christmas magic, Cody hopes she’ll start to see him with new eyes.
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Nicely written, good tale and, of course, happy ever after.
Love books about Christmas!
Intriguing story evolving from secret childhood crush to a passionate adult love affair where trust and hope all unfold as part of the magic of Christmas.
A MARVELL COUNTRY CHRISTMAS is a sweet, interesting Christmas story that takes the ‘bah humbug’ out of the holidays for two neighbors. Jeannie Watt pretty much nails the winter storms of the midwest/northern states in the U.S.A. The novel contains vivid pictures of survival techniques while taking care of ranch animals. I live in northern Minne-snow-da. Interesting information even for an old farm hand.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
I so enjoyed reading this story. I love the Marvell brothers. They are strong men who love fiercely. Cody is the middle brother who normally keeps the peace. He has always tried to be the good guy and come to the aid of others. He has enjoyed short-term relationships and it isn’t until his younger brother Shane gets together with Ella (The Cowboy’s Last Rodeo) that Cody realizes that he is missing and wants that special connection with someone. He is left home alone at the ranch this year. On his way back home from Marietta he sees tracks going into the neighboring ranch’s drive. He knows the ranch is vacant with the death of rancher and the daughter, Murphy, lives else where. Fearing squatters or something more nefarious, he turns in. There he sees Murphy who has been gone for over 10 years.
Murphy is home for Christmas. She is going to put the ranch up for sale following the death of her father. She and Creelay (her father) didn’t have a good relationship as she grew up. It wasn’t until after his stroke and therapy sessions, that she discovers that he did love her but wasn’t good at showing his feelings. The ranch isn’t a place for happy memories as money was short, her mother left her father for another man when Murphy was four (the mother dies when Murphy is six and returned to live with her father at the ranch). Her father sold her beloved mare, Lady, to Cody right after she left for college. She believed the Marvells to have everything that she didn’t. Plus in school, Cody flirted with every girl but her. Also he would drive by her on his way to school and not stop to ask her for a ride. Now he bought her beloved mare. Murphy had a major crush of Cody but there are hard feelings as well with his purchase of Lady.
Through a series of unfortunate events, Murphy is forced to abandon the ranch and stay with Cody for Christmas. This story shows how these two wonderful people work through the past and come together. I adored both of these characters. Having this book written in a dual POV format really helped me to be able to connect with Murphy. I was able to understand her actions and speech so much better. Being able to see into the character’s mindset helps me to identify with them.
I highly recommend this story to anyone. Well this story really can be read as a stand-alone, I do recommend to start with The Cowboy’s Last Rodeo though. Not because you have too but Ms. Watt writes wonderful stories.
3.5
Enjoyed it
I always enjoy revisiting Marietta and its characters.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: The Men of Marvell Ranch
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
“A Marvell Country Christmas” by Jeannie Watt continues the Men of Marvell Ranch series.
Murphy Anderson returns home to face her past so she can move into the future. She doesn’t count on bad weather and Cody Marvell to put a glitch in her plan.
She agrees to spend Christmas with Cody. As it turns out, Cody isn’t the guy she remembered him to be. Cody realizes the same about Murphy.
They set out to erase the painful memories of the past and to have the merriest, and sexiest, Christmas.
“A Marvell Country Christmas” is filled with authentic details and Christmas traditions. It another great read from Jeannie Watt.
This is the first book by Jeannie Watt I have read and I loved it. I have already purchased a copy of one of her other books. I am looking forward to reading it.
This story is about overcoming the past and moving toward the future you want. Murphy hated the ranch she grew up on but was brought back and she was determined to make it with out any bad memories being to much but that doesn’t really happen. Cody works on his families ranch which is right by the Anderson Ranch. He is the golden boy to Murphy. The guy she crushed on that didn’t show any interest in her.
This story gave me the feels, and in part made think that maybe this Christmas I will try to get more in the spirit of the holiday as I tend to be the bah humbug. I really enjoyed this story a lot, the chemistry between the two. I loved how they made Brandon feel welcome when he returned. I look forward to reading more of this series.
Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for a copy of this book to read. It was my pleasure to leave a review.
Murphy had one thing on her mind, get in and get out. Get the house ready for sale and get on with her life. Things didn’t happen the way she hoped, but Cody has come to her rescue. Cody and his brothers own the ranch next door, Murphy has no love lost for this family. Cody has invited Murphy to spend the Christmas holidays with him. Murphy is thinking a Christmas fling, might just be ok, but will to turn into so much more.
Loved this Christmas story with plenty of traditions, decorating the tree, games. sledding, cookie baking and plenty of romance. Can’t wait to read more of the Marvell Brothers. I highly recommend.
This is a fun holiday romance about Murphy Anderson and Cody Marvell who were neighbors when they were younger. Cody was the rich boy who lived at the ranch next to Murphy. Murphy and her father struggled to survive and often ended up working at Marvell Ranch to make ends meet. Murphy secretly had a crush on Cody, but he never seemed to notice her. When Murphy’s father passes away and leaves the house to her, she plans to spend her Christmas holiday cleaning everything up and getting it ready to sell. But, when the river rises and threatens Murphy’s safety, the only person she can call for help is Cody. They spend Christmas together at Marvell Ranch and get to know each other better. Could it be holiday magic that breaks down the walls between them and leads them to each other’s arms?
I really enjoyed Murphy and Cody’s story. They were both tough people and set in their ways. But once they got to know each other, things quickly changed. The story was very believable and easy to follow. This is an all-around good book with a lot of Christmas spirit.